MYANMAR AND LAOS TOUR 10 DAYS

Destination: Yangon/Bagan/Mandalay/Vientiane/Luang Prabang/Pak Ou Cave

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner, G=Guide

Day 1: Yangon arrival (G)

Arrival in Yangon. Met and transfer to the hotel for check in. Then, you’ll be free. Overnight stay in Yangon.

Day 2: Yangon (B, L, G)

Morning, breakfast at the hotel. Visit the National Museum-04 storey building which displays all about Myanmar, mainly the Lion Throne of the last king of Myanmar, who exiled to India in 1886, the Botahtaung Pagoda-the combination of stupa & temple, the colonial area, the Sule Pagoda-the landmark of Yangon city Centre, which has been enshrined the hair relic of Buddha, the Chaukhtatgyi Reclining Buddha Image-70 meters long and huge colossal image. Finally, visit the Shwedagon Pagoda-one of the wonders of the world where we can observe the ways of life of Buddhists such as offering the water, candles, flowers, etc. Overnight in Yangon.

Day 3: Yangon/Bagan (B, L, G)

This morning we drive to the airport for the flight in the morning to Bagan. Check in the hotel and departure for a tour of the Bagan Archaeological Zone World Heritage Site. A thorough exploration of Bagan including Nyaung Oo Market, the Shwezigon pagoda, the prototype of the ancient stupas of Myanmar; Kyansittha Umin, the temple Wet-Kyi-Inn Gubyaukgyi with mural paintings of the 13th century and the Temple Htilominlo. The lunch will be serve at a local restaurant

In the afternoon, following the visit of the lacquer consumption workshops, followed by Manuh Temple built by King Manuh in exile; Nanphaya, which was the residence of King Manuh, the Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece and the monastery Kyaung decorated with colorful murals. Enjoy the breathtaking sunset from one of the temples of Bagan.

You will spend the night in Bagan

Day 4: Bagan/Mandalay (B, L, G)

Morning, breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Mt. Popa – an extinct volcano which is known as “Home of the Spirits” and observe the life of rural area on the way such as producing the palm sweets. We may stop several places for making the photos and knowing the countryside. Climb up 777 steps to reach on the top of Mt. Popa cliff temple and enjoy the landscapes. Come down and proceed to Mandalay. Check in at the hotel and leisure. Overnight in Mandalay.

Day 5: Mandalay/Yangon (B, L, G)

Morning, breakfast at the hotel. Visit Mahamuni Buddha Image-one of the most sacred Buddha Images in Myanmar with 15 cm thickness of gold leaf and many pieces of precious stones, such as diamonds, rubies, pearls, sapphires, emeralds, etc. Excursion to Amarapura (01:00 hr), an ancient capital of Myanmar, where we can observe the life of over 1000 monks at Mahagandaryon Monastery & silk weaving factory. Proceed to Sagaing, where we can observe the fascinating landscapes of the Ayeyarwaddy River from serene Sagaing Hill, the place of over 700 monasteries. Drive to Mandalay and visit Mahamuni Buddha Image-one of the most sacred Buddha Images in Myanmar with 01 ton of gold-gilded and many pieces of precious stones, such as diamonds, rubies, pearls, sapphires, emeralds, etc. Continue visiting of traditional handicraft workshops such as, marble carving, gold leaves beating, Kuthodaw Pagoda, which houses 729 marble slabs sculptured the teaching of Buddha, Shwenandaw (Golden Palace) Monastery, which is the masterpiece of wood carving, etc.

In the late afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight to Yangon. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Yangon.

Day 6: Yangon/Vientiane (B, G)

Transfer to the airport. Flight from Yangon to Vientiane (via Bangkok).

On arrival in Vientiane Capital, you will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. After a short rest, we see the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket, the temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we stop enroute to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. We watch the sunset by the Mekong Riverside and spend the evening here absorbing the city at night.

Overnight in Vientiane

Day 7: Vientiane/Luang Prabang (B, G)

Today, we transfer to the airport for a short flight to Luang Prabang, which is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos. After checking into your hotel, we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham and Wat Mai. We then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred, gilded stupa as well as have a beautiful view of the city and the Mekong River at sunset. From there, we explore the Night Market, where you can browse a lovely selection of handmade textile made by the local people and hill tribers surrounding Luang Prabang.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 8: Luang Prabang/Pak Ou Cave (B, L, G) 

After breakfast, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham, Wat Mai, Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its low sweeping roofs, representing classical Laotian architecture. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. On our way back to the city, we take a short drive to Ban Phanom, a village well known for its crafts, pottery and hand weaving. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 9: Luang Prabang/Vientiane (B, L, G)

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving this procession. After breakfast we visit The National Museum (close Tuesday) at the former Royal Palace, displays a lovely collection of artefacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign. The National Museum and the Central Market is not to be missed. We visit these sights in the morning before catching our flight back to Vientiane. After checking into your hotel, we transfer out to see the Buddha Park, a scattered enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures on the Mekong Riverside meadow, near the Friendship Bridge. There are approximately 200 religious images dating back over 500 years, which were created by a mysterious monk spreading his philosophy on life and to reveal his ideas about the universe. A spectacular view of over the Mekong River at sunset is a perfect way to finish the day. Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 10: Vientiane departure (B, G)

After breakfast, we visit the Morning Market and the weaving village of Ban Nong Bouathong (if time permits). Then transfer to the airport for your departure flight.